Mercedes To Bring A, B Class Stateside
High gas prices are achieving what thousands of Euro-lusting domestic fanboys couldn't: an influx imported premium European sub-compacts. Automotive News [sub] reports that Mercedes has revived plans to bring its next gen A and B-Class stateside. Expect four-door, coupe and crossover variants to jump the puddle sometime after they make their 2011 European debut. And yes, we'll also get long-awaited, much-anticipated battery-powered versions– provided they escape development Hell. Meanwhile, Daimler's considering another U.S. price increase. "We will continue to go for pricing and lose some volume rather than see our contributions deteriorate," says CEO Dieter "Chrysler What Chrysler" Zetsche. So what's with the mass market A and B, then?
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I hate the B class, there are lots here in Montreal. It's a serious affront to buyers, like the C-class coupe (remember those?). Too much money for not much of anything - for dummies willing to spend too much just to get into the brand. It's a poseur's car. Bland, ugly, sparsely optioned, and above all expensive. Did I mention it was expensive? Go buy a Mini and have fun, they are better cars and better value.
Mercedes have class - they will sell anywhere including the USA
But who buys cars on class alone? Poseurs. I'm not one who is willing to pay extra for less just to get a fancy nameplate on my otherwise beige econobox. Unfortunately many people are willing to do just that and MB will capitalize on it. I'm going to go sulk while I tinker with my bomb-shelter-on-wheels 250C.
That's a bit like saying, "Who eats steak? Soon-to-be-vegetarians." I suspect there are people who think they just have to have an MB, so they go buy one without regards to the value in the particular model. Still, I am no fan of mercedes, so I can't see what they are trying to pose as? Wealthy people? Either they are wealthy enough to afford the car, in which case they are not posing. Or they are soon going to have it repossessed, which means they won't be posing for long. When you throw out a statement like that, all you are doing is insulting people who own Mercedes. Somehow, I don't think that was your intent though. :)